Access-panel structure



April 2, 1929. c, A T 1,707,240

ACCES S PANEL STRUCTURE Filed June 15, 1927 A T TOR NE Y5 J B Y Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT trier.

CLIFFORD TRAUT, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TC) HIGH-IN llmtflll'tll TUBING COMPANY, OF NEWJPOET, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION F WEfi'i ACCESS-PANEL STBJUCTURE.

Application filed. June 15,

My invention relates to access panels, and particularly to improvmnents in the means provided for articulatin such panels in a frame in a wall structure.

It is the object of my invention to provide a double leafed hinged structure in which guiding means is so associated with the hinges, that the hinges will be controlled in a definite sequence ofmovements.

The above and other advantages to which reference will be made during the ensuing disclosure 1 accomplish by that certain arrangement and combination of part-s "of which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment. i

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation taken from the side of the panel which faces the wall within which it is to be secured.

Figure 2 is a section taken along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1. i

I have shown the access panel structure having a frame composed of walls 1 forming a rectangular enclosure. The walls are reinforced with the angular strips 2 i on the inside of the walls, and the angular strips 3 on the outside of the walls. The strips 2 have flat front surface por- .tions against which the articulated panel 4: abuts when 1n closed position.

The angle strips 8 have flanged portions which seat within the wall structure thereby holding the frame within the wall. The hinges for the panel are supported. on angular hracle ets 5 which are shown as welded to the angle strips 2. Other means of mounting the hinge supports, however, may be used. The hinges are double leafed, having the inner leaves 6 and the outer leaves 7 articulated together as indicated at 8 with a pintle.

The object of the double hinge leaf to permit a full opening of the panel, and a 1927. Serial No. 198,920.

dered inconspicuous from the exterior, and if a lock 's used such as indicated at 9, which may be unlocked by the insertion of a screw driver, the hole may be concealed with the of the panel. It is usually the practiceto conceal the panel. from. the exterior of the wall by meansof wall paper, or to paint the panel like the walls, with the cracks puttied, if desired. It may also he left exposed, and being only a small unobstructive object, it is scarcely visible.

.The particular featureof my invention which, as far as I am aware, is broadly new, is the 1 )rovisiouof guides which will. enforce the proper movement of the panel during its use. I have shown the angle guide members 10 formed with reinforcing corrugations 11 welded to the supporting plates for the outer of the hinge leaves. In the dotted lines in Figure 2 the position of the guide members 9 almost at the closed position of the panel is shown. If, without pulling outwardly on the panel in the direction of its width, a mechanic at tempts to swing the panel in an arc, the surface of the guide bears against the surface of the outer of the hinge leaves, thereby preventing such movement. It is only when the panel has been pulled outwardly in the direction of its width that the guide is moved out from a position in which it frictionally engages the outer of the hinge leaves. In this position the panel. may then. be swung out and its outer surface swung around until. it lies in alignment with the wall. By ensuring that the mechanic moves the panel through these two cycles of movement, first the outward pull, and then the swinging; movement, the panel may lie flush with the wall surface and yet will 9 swing wide open against the sru'face of the wall.

It should also be noted that witlumt guides for the hinge leaves, one pair of hinges might articulate in one direction and the other in another, so that it would be very difficult to make the panel. seat properly in. the frame when it had once been swung open.

Having thus described .my invention what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an access panel structure, in combination with a frame, and a panel adapted to fit Within the frame, a double leafed hinge for mounting the panel on the frame, and guiding means for the leaves of said hinge for nreventin an arcuate movement thereof priorto the extension of the leaves into substant al alignment, said guiding means extending from said panel.

- -2. In an access panel structure, in combination With a frame, and a panel adapted 'tojfit Withinthe frame, a double leafed hinge 10 to lie in parallel alignment with the outer of the leaves of the hinge euring completely closed position. 7

'A hinge for a 7 access panel and frame comprising articulated leaves, means for mhuntmg an outer leaf on the panel, and

means for, mounting an inner leaf on the frame, and means for guiding the leaves into an extended POSltlOILPllOl to the arouate articulation thereof, saidmeans comprising a plate mounted at such an angle as to lie in parallel alignment with the outer leaf prior to the extension of said leaves.

4. A hinge for an access panel and frame comprising articulated leaves, means for mounting an outer leaf on the panel, and means for mounting an inner leaf on the frame, and means for guiding the leaves into an extended position prior to the areuaie articulation thereof, said means comprising a plate disposed so as to frictionally bear against the outer hinge leaf during completely closed position.

5. In an access panel. structure, a frame adapted to be mounted in a recess in a. wall, a panel extendi le from the frame mounted therein, means for articulating the panel in the frame, comprising a double leafed hinge extendiblc to a position in which the panel Will not bea' against the frame during the articulated movement of said panel, and means extending from said panel for assuring the extension of said panel prior to the articulated movement thereof.

CLIFFORD TRAUT. 

